Celebrate Constitution Day Online
By National Archives News Staff | National Archives News
WASHINGTON, September 15, 2020—The National Archives and Records Administration, permanent home of the original U.S. Constitution, celebrates the 233rd anniversary of the document’s signing on September 17 with special online programs for all ages.
These programs are free; however, registration is encouraged. Unless otherwise noted, all times are Eastern time. See our Celebrating Constitution Day page for additional public programs, family activities, and online resources.
Constitution Day and related programs
- Facebook Live—“George to George”: Shaping the Nation by our Constitution
September 16 and 18, 10 a.m. CST
Constitutional Law expert Thomas Borcher examines how the Constitution was created and how it established the three branches of the U.S. Government. He examines the ways in which the Constitution shaped the presidencies of our first President, George Washington, and our 41st, George H.W. Bush. Organized by the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library. Check the Library's Facebook page for the livestream.
- Educator Webinar: Teaching the Charters of Freedom
September 16, 7 p.m.
Join us for a hands-on session and discover resources for teaching the founding documents of the United States and access primary sources that can help students connect these landmark documents to their own lives. Register online. Also available as a by-request program.
- The Electoral College and the Constitution
September 17, noon
Every four years, electors cast ballots for President and make official what America’s voters decide on Election Day. Are electors bound by their state’s majority vote? Has this system outlived its purpose? Panelists include Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Former Member of Congress Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), and Georgetown University law professor Anthony Cook. This program is presented in partnership with the Association of Former Members of Congress. Register online or watch on YouTube.
- Constitution Day Student Webinar–The Charters of Freedom: Building a More Perfect Union
September 17, 2 p.m.
This interactive webinar is for students in grades 3 to 6, presented in partnership with the Presidential Primary Sources Project. More information.
- OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say? A Non-Boring Guide to How Our Democracy Is Supposed to Work
September 17, 5 p.m.
Political savant and entertainment veteran Ben Sheehan explains what the Constitution says in present-day English. Reserve a seat and view on YouTube.
- The 2020 General Election: Public Policy Implications in January 2021
September 23, 3 p.m
Park University assistant professors of political science Matt Harris and Jack Adam MacLennan will discuss the upcoming November presidential election in terms of public policy and how the Constitution provides a framework for these implications. This program is organized by the National Archives at Kansas City in partnership with Park University. Register online and watch the live-stream.
Additional resources are also available on Archives.gov and at the following links:
Teach and Learn with Online Resources for Students and Educators
Get Ready for Constitution Day!
Bring the Constitution to Life! and the DocsTeach Constitution page
Teaching the Constitution... Virtually
Online resources for teaching the Constitution
Founders Online - read the Founders’ own words about the Constitution’s creation
First Amendment - Upholding Student Rights in the 20th Century: An Examination of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District
Fifth Amendment - Pleading the Fifth: Lillian Hellman and the HUAC Investigation of Hollywood
Eighth Amendment - Locked Up: Exploring Prisoner Rights and the Eighth Amendment
19th Amendment - Forging a Path to the 19th Amendment: Understanding Women’s Suffrage
Watch Related Public Programs
The Nature of Constitutional Rights
For Us, By Us: Trust In, and Expectations of, the Constitution